This is the second book that I have read in this series so I was already familiar with the characters. Foul Play at the PTA by Laura Alden lived up to my expectations.

As with the Murder at the PTA, the characters are more important than the mystery. I enjoyed getting back in touch with the characters and was amazed at the fast pace at the end of the book.

Beth still has her children's bookstore and her divorce is now final. She is very involved in the Tarver Elementary PTA. After attending one of the meetings, she walks out to the parking lot with her Ericka. Beth notices that although Sam Helmstetter left the meeting a while back, his car is still parked there getting covered with snow. They go over and bang on his car door window but he doesn’t respond. His scarf is tied much too tight around his neck. Beth calls the police while Ericka tried to administer CPR.

that the victim was well liked by everyone in town. He was a good father and a good husband and didn’t have any enemies. Usually, it is the reverse and there are oodles of people who could have done it. Also Beth has a new employee who was convicted of murder in the past but Beth has to defend her against the rumor mongers of the town.

Because of the twist of having the victim of the crime being so very nice, I kept wondering why he was murdered. I also really like the hang onto your seats type ending.

I highly recommend this book to all cozy readers. ( )

Alden's second novel in the PTA mystery series is a smoothly written tale. Beth Kennedy still struggles with all the hats she is juggling in life, from business owner to single mother to PTA secretary. When a local man is found strangled, the safety of her family is paramount and Beth decides to look into another homicide. Her sidekick Marina is a little much at times, in this novel, she's spouting all kinds of Shakespearean quotes, but in description, she does sound larger than life, so I guess if fits! Will enjoy another visit to Rynwood soon! ( )